The Russian intelligence services regularly register convoys transporting oil, which move from Syria's east to Turkey and Iraq, the chief of the Russian General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, said on Wednesday.

"The Russian intelligence services regularly register convoys of trucks carrying oil tankers, which move from Syria's eastern regions, controlled by [the US-led] coalition, to the territories of Turkey and Iraq. Meanwhile, the funds from the sale of oil products are also being spent on financing terrorists belonging to Islamic State," Gerasimov indicated.

"In December last year, the active phase of the operation to eliminate gangs in Syria was completed. Today, IS militants are only east of the Euphrates, on the territory controlled by the United States," he added.

According to Gerasimov "sleeping" cells of Islamic State (IS) progressed to active operations, began to expand their zone of influence.

"The United States is always telling us about some fight against the IS in the east of Syria. But we are seeing the opposite. 'Sleeping' terrorist cells have become active and as a result, the IS has begun expanding its zone of influence in the east of the country," he said.

"US IS TRYING TO CREATE INDEPENDENT KURDISH FORMATION"

The chief of the Russian General Staff also added that the United States tries to create a quasi-state Kurdish formation in Syria, which would be independent from Damascus.

"The situation on the eastern border of the Euphrates deteriorates. The United States, falling back on Syrian Kurds, is trying to create a quasi-state formation independent from the central government there. They are already forming the government of the so-called Democratic Federation of Northern Syria. Americans support Kurds' separatist aspirations by delivering weapons and military equipment to them, and they are thus allowing Arabic tribes' oppression by Kurds," Gerasimov said.